Coal mining apparatus



April 1937- G. D. MILLER 2,077,527

COAL MINING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Gidebmllflfillfl} April 20, 1937. c. D. MILLER COAL MINING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gidealzll/lfl'llel;

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April 7- G. D. MILLER 2,077,527

COAL MINING APPARATUS .Filed March 28, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 an 1 2 n tr 6 7110014 1).; Mil/('1',

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G. D. MILLER COAL MINING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JZ'y.18. 6 0 5% 57 14 5 9. 52

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Patented Apr. 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

This invention in certain aspects is an improvemcnt on the structure disclosed in my copending application, Serial Number 700,905, filed December 4, 1933 and in part is a continuation both as to disclosure and claims of my application Serial No. 719,226, filed April 5,

One of the primary objects is to provide novel drive mechanism that can be easily anchored in the Walls of the mine, thus making it possible to eliminate jacks which have to be moved whenever the machine is moved, and which by reason of the floor and roof formation are at times difficult to secure firmly in place.

15 Another object is to provide means by which the feeding mechanism can be stopped and started whenever desired without interfering with the operation of the cutting mechanism, this controlling means incidentally also allow- 20 ing a relative play of the machine and feeding means so as to avoid binding where the feed screw is rigidly connected to its operating means.

Another object is to provide means by which the range of elevation of the cutting mechanism 25 is more extensive than with the mechanism disclosed in the before-mentioned application.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a plan View of the mining mechanism and a preferred embodiment of the feeding 30 means.

Figure 2 is a detail horizontal sectional view through the carriage and gearing, and showing more particularly the clutch mechanism for the feed screw.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail side elevation of the feed clutch.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view on the line 40 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figures 7 and 8 are cross sectional views taken respectively on the lines 77 and 88 of Fig- 45 ure 6.

Figure 9 is a detail perspective View of the head of the feed screw.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view through one of the jacks or anchoring posts.

Figure 11 is a detailed vertical cross-sectional View through a portion of a mine room showing the mounting of the jacks.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the carrier bar.

Figure 13 is a rear elevation of the same.

Figures 14 and 15 are detail sectional views taken respectively on the lines l5-l5 of Figure 12.

Figure 16 is an end elevation on an enlarged scale of the feed nut.

Figure 17 is a side elevation of said feed nut showing the locking means.

Figure 18 is a detail sectional view on the line l8l8 of Figure 16.

Figure 19 is a plan view of a modified form of construction.

Figure 20 is a detail view of one of the anchoring pins for the feed cable.

Figure 21 is a top plan view of the feed nut of the structure shown in Figure 19.

Figure 22 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Figure 23 is a cross sectional view on the line 2323 of Figure 21.

Figure 24 is a side elevation showing the hook for the chain.

In the embodiment disclosed in Figures 1-18 inclusive the cutting mechanism is substantially the same as that shown in the prior application Serial No. 700,905, and therefore it is believed unnecessary to describe it in detail. A carriage 25 is employed, from one side of which projects a battery of cutting augers 26 geared together as illustrated at 21 (see Figure 2), and operated from a master shaft 28 that projects from the rear side of the carriage, or in other words from the side opposite to that from which the augers 26 project.

As shown more particularly in detail in Figures 4-9 inclusive, the shaft 28 terminates in a threaded portion 29, on which is screwed a gudgeon sleeve 30 that is preferably pinned to the shaft 28, as shown at 3|, and consequently rotates with it. On the outer side of this sleeve 30 is rotatably mounted a chuck in the form of a collar 32 which projects beyond said sleeve and has in its projecting portion a socket 33 that is angular in cross section. The collar is held against longitudinal displacement by a pin 34 that extends transversely thereof and engages in an annular groove 35 formed in the end of the sleeve 30.

The said collar 32 constitutes one element of a clutch, and therefore its inner end is provided with an annular set of ratchet teeth 36. Slidably mounted on the sleeve 30 and keyed thereto, as shown at 31, is a cooperating clutch element 38 whose outer end is provided with an annular set of ratchet teeth 39 that are thus movable into and out of interfitting relation with the teeth 36. The collar 38 is provided with an annular groove 40 in which is received a yoke 41. This yoke has I l-l4 and til outstanding pivot pins 42 engaged by the lower ends of depending swinging arms 43 (see Figure 5) carried by a rock shaft 46 journaled in brackets 41 that are secured to the carriage. This rock shaft has at one end an upstanding handle 48. It will be obvious therefore that by swinging the crank handle 48 in one direction, the clutch collar 88 can be moved to cause its teeth 39 to engage with the teeth 36 of the chuck collar 32, and consequently when the shaft 28 is rotated the chuck collar will also be rotated. On the other hand, when the crank handle 48 is swung in the opposite direction, the clutch elements are disengaged and consequently the chuck collar 32 will not be rotated. As clearly shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 the crank handle 48 leans toward the carriage when the clutch is in operative condition and thereby tends to hold the same normally in action.

The feed screw is shown at 49, and is illustrated particularly in Figures 3 and 6. It terminates in a head 58 that is angular in cross section (see Figure 9), so as to fit in the angular socket 33 and thus the feed screw is insured to have a turning movement when the chuck collar 82 is rotated.

Its opposite faces :35 are longitudinally convexed, however, so that the feed screw can have a lateral play by reason of a universal joint thus provided.

As in the feeding action the screw exerts a material thrust, it bears against a pin 5| that is located in the collar 32 (see Figure 6). The feed screw 49 operates in a nut or head 52. The specific construction of this nut or head is shown in Figures l6, l7, and 18. The nut consists of lower and upper sections 53 and 54 with a threaded bore 55 formed partly in each to receive the feed screw 49. The sections are hinged together at one side, as shown at 56, and are normally held together at their opposite sides by a latch. This latch consists of links 51 pivotally connected at 53 to the lower section, and having a pivot rod 58 connecting their upper ends. On this rod and between the links 51 is journaled an eccentric 60 adapted to seat in a recess 6| formed in the top of the upper section. The eccentric has a suitable handle 62. Preferably also a pin 63, carried by one of the free sides of one section, detachably engages in a socket 64 in the other section to prevent any lateral displacement between the two sections when secured together.

The lower section 58 is provided with a downwardly extending pintle 65 that is rotatably mounted in the center of the horizontal flange 66 of a carrier bar 61 that is preferably formed of angle iron. A cotter pin 68, or other suitable device, serves to hold this pintle in place, and yet permits its rotating on the swinging movement of the feed nut. The carrier bar 66 tapers towards its ends and pivoted to said ends are links 69 and 78, one of these links, as 69, having an enlarged portion H and a reduced forwardly extending portion l2 (see Figure 14), while the other 18 may be substantially circular at its free end. Passed through these links is a cable preferably in the form of a chain 73 that can pass freely through the link 18, but is adapted to have one link engaged horizontally in the portion 12 of the other link 69, this portion being sufficiently reduced in cross sectional area to prevent the passage of vertically arranged links on opposite sides of the link that is engaged in said portion. This chain '13 is adapted to extend across the room being mined, and has its ends suitably anchored. Thus, as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, two jacks 14 are provided. Each of these jacks consists of a body member in the form of a tube 15, the lower end of which is adjustably mounted in a base tube 76 terminating in a lower spur 17 that engages in the floor of the mine. The two parts are held in adjusted relation by suitable pins 78 that are passed through any of a series of registering openings 79 formed therein. The upper end of the body tube 15 is internally threaded to receive an upwardly extending stem 86 terminating in a spur 8| that is adapted to engage in the roof of the mine. A suitable cross handle 82 provides convenient means for turning this stem.

It is thought that the operation of the mechanism as thus far described can now be made clear. In the drilling operation, as the augers out into the face of the mine, the feed screw 49 being clutched to the drive shaft 28 that is rotated with the augers, is turned, and as the nut 52 is the ball and socket joint 33-50, while being positively rota-ted, is allowed lateral play, and the feed nut 52 also can turn by reason of its pivot mounting. Consequently any misalignment of the machine and screw due to the rough surface of the floor and canting of the machine during 7 drilling operations, is accommodated without causing the screw to bind in the nut. It will also be noted that when a nut has been completed and it is desired to shift the machine laterally, it is only necessary to disengage the chain from the portion 12 of the link H, whereupon the machine can be moved to another point along the chain and said chain reengaged at the proper point. Thus having anchored the chain in position, the entire width of the chamber can be cut.

The feeding mechanism makes it possible moreover to readily locate the cutting augers at decidedly different heights. Consequently to provide for a wider range of elevation, the carriage is provided at its opposite sides with vertical guideways shown in Figure 3. As there shown each guideway consists of a plate 83 secured to the carriage and having one end overturned, as shown at 84, the other end being in the form of a rearwardly extending reduced portion 85 for the mounting of the usual handle 86. Secured to the outer side of the plate between its ends, is another guide piece 81, which with the overturned end portion 54, provides a vertical guideway of dovetail form. In each guideway is a vertically movable carrier plate 88 having at its lower end an outstanding axle 89 on which the supporting wheel 90 is journaled. Mounted on the top of the carriage at each side of the same is a standard 9| that is located behind the plate 83 and has an outstanding journal box 92 at its upper end. In this box is a rotatably mounted screw 93 having a hand crank 94 at its upper end. Threaded on each screw is a nut 95 secured, as shown at 96, to the upper end of the adjacent carrier plate 88. By means of this construction, the plates 88 have a reciprocatory movement in the guideways 848'!, and therefore by rotating the screws the carriage can be raised and lowered within a materially great range, depending on the height of the standards 9i and the length of the screws 93.

Referring to the modification shown in Figures 19-24 inclusive, the general structure is much the same, except for the showing as to the mounting of the feed nut on the cable and the securement of the cable ends. In this embodiment the cutting apparatus designated generally by the reference numeral 97 is the same as that already disclosed, and it is believed needs no further exposition. The feed screw shown at 93 in this embodiment, engages in a split feed nut til that is substantially the same as that already described. In this form of construction, however, the lower section of the feed nut is provided with a hook Hill and the cross chain or cable It! is engaged behind this hook, as illustrated in Figure 24. The

opposite side walls of the room in which the cutting is to be performed, in this embodiment, have embedded therein guide hooks Hi2, around which the end portions of the chains are passed, and behind these hooks are anchor pins Hi3 having bifurcated outer ends I04 (see Figure 20), in the bifurcations of which a single horizontal link of the chain is engaged, the vertical links on opposite sides of such horizontal link being held from passing through the bifurcations. The pins Hi2 and l 33, it will be noted, are located in angular relation to each other. Consequently the strain brought upon them is such that there is a tendency for them to be drawn towards each other, rather than pulled longitudinally from the mine wall.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim, is:

1. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage, cutting mechanism projecting from one side of the same, and means on the carriage for operating the cutting mechanism, of feeding means for the carriage and cutting mechanism including a feed screw, a nut engaged with the screw, a cable extending transversely of the path of the carriage, and means for mounting the nut on the cable.

2. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage, cutting mechanism projecting from one side of the same, and means on the carriage for operating the cutting mechanism, of feeding means for the carriage and cutting mechanism including a feed screw projecting rearwardly from the carriage, means for rotating the screw, a cable extending across the screw, means for anchoring the cable at opposite sides of the carriage, and a nut held by the cable and having a threaded engagement with the screw.

3. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage, cutting mechanism projecting from one side of the same, and means on the carriage for operating the cutting mechanism, of feeding means for the carriage and cutting mechanism including a feed screw projecting rearwardly from the carriage, means for rotating the screw, a cable extending across the screw, means for anchoring the cable at opposite sides of the carriage, and a nut comprising separable sections engaged by the screw and detachable therefrom by separating the sections, said nut having means for adjustable engagement with the cable.

4. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage, cutting mechanism projecting from one side of the same, and means on the carriage for operating the cutting mechanism, of feeding means for the carriage and cutting mechanism including a feed screw projecting rearwardly from the carriage, means for rotating the screw, a cable chain extending across the screw, means for anchoring the cable chain at opposite sides of the carriage, and a nut comprising separable sections engaged by the screw and detachable therefrom by separating the sections, said nut having means including a device that embraces the chain and is held against lateral displacement by the links on opposite sides of the same.

5. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage, cutting mechanism projecting from one side of the same, and means on the carriage for operating the cutting mechanism, of feeding means for the carriage and cutting mechanism including a feed screw projecting rearwardly from the carriage, a nut on the screw comprising hingedly connected sections that embrace and have threaded engagement with the screw, a latch for holding the sections together on the screw, a chain cable extending transversely of the screw, means for anchoring the cable, and means on one of the nut sections that engages the chain cable.

6. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage and cutting mechanism mounted thereon, of means for advancing the carriage during the cutting operations, said means including a cable, feeding means for the carriage engaged with the cable, and means for anchoring the cable including a guide means in which the cable is engaged and a securing device spaced from the guide means and detachably engaged by the cable.

7. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage and cutting mechanism mounted thereon, of means for advancing the carriage during the cutting operations, said means including a chain cable, feeding means for the carriage engaged with the chain cable, and means for anchoring the cable including a pin having guide means through which the cable passes, and a forked securing pin located alongside the guide pin and engaged by the link of the chain cable.

8. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage, of cutting mechanism projecting from one side of the same, and advancing means for the carriage including a rotatable chuck having a socket that is angular in cross section and having a wall at its bottom, and a feed screw having on one end a longitudinally rounded head that is angular in cross section and detachably engages in the socket, with the end of the shaft abutting the bottom wall of the socket.

9. In coal mining apparatus, the combination. with a carriage, of an auger projecting from one side of the same, and advancing means for the carriage including a feed member, a driving member, and a clutch for detachably connecting the driving member and feed member, the auger, feed member, driving member and clutch having a common axis of rotation.

10. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage and a battery of rotary augers mounted thereon and projecting from one side of the same, or means on the carriage for rotating the augers and including a shaft projecting from the opposite side of the carriage to the augers, a feed member at said latter side of the carriage in line with the shaft, and a clutch for detachably connecting the shaft and the feed member to stop or start the feed member at will.

11. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage and a battery of rotary augers mounted thereon and projecting from one side of the same, of means on the carriage for rotating the augers and including a shaft projecting from the opposite side of the carriage to the augers, a chuck at said latter side of the carriage having a rearwardly opening socket, a feed screw having one end detachably engaged in the socket, and a clutch that detachably connects the shaft and the chuck to either cause the operation of the latter and the feed. screw or leave the same idle.

12. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage and a battery of rotary augers mounted thereon and projecting from one side of the same, of means on the carriage for rotating 20 the augers and including a shaft projecting from the opposite side of the carriage to the augers, a chuck at said latter side of the carriage and in which the shaft is rotatably mounted, a feed screw ncn-rotatably engaged in the chuck and capable 25 of lateral play with respect thereto, and a clutch detachably connecting the shaft and the chuck to cause the shaft to drive the chuck or to leave it idle.

13. In coal mining apparatus, the combination 30 with a carriage and a battery of rotary angers mounted thereon and projecting from one side of the same, of means on the carriage for rotating the augers and including a shaft projecting from the opposite side of the carriage to the augers, a sleeve fixed on said shaft, a chuck member rotatably mounted on the sleeve and having a socket angular in cross section, and also having a clutch element on one end, a second clutch element slidably keyed to the sleeve movable into and out of coaction with the first clutch element, and means for sliding the second clutch element.

14. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage, cutting mechanism mounted thereon, and means on the carriage for operating the cutting mechanism, of feeding means including a feed screw, a cable extending transversely of the path of the carriage, a carrier having spaced connections with the cable, and a feed nut on the carrier engaged with the feed screw.

15. In coal mining apparatus, the combination with a carriage, cutting mechanism mounted thereon, and means on the carriage for operating the cutting mechanism, of feeding means including a feed screw, a cable extending transversely of the path of the carriage, a carrier bar in rear of the carriage having means at its ends for engagement with the cable at spaced points, and a nut carried by an intermediate part of the carrier bar and having threaded engagement with the feed screw.

GIDEON D. MILLER. 

